Update: Vito seeks email secrecy

All emails, texts and other communications between members of the Idaho Legislature would be considered private and blocked from public disclosure under a proposal introduced Wednesday.

The measure would create a massive change to the Idaho Public Records Act by shielding most of the communications Idaho lawmakers have with fellow legislative members and legislative staff.

The exemption would also hide research requests made by lawmakers and all personal identifiable information of private citizens who have contacted a lawmaker. It would not exempt communications between lawmakers and lobbyists.

“This is an issue we’ve needed to address for some time I think,” said Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, the bill’s sponsor. “What we’re doing here is trying to exclude here is certain communications”/ Kimberlee Kruesi, AP. More here.